A turning point for Leslie happened when a patient contacted her: "Crying and barely able to speak as a result of anger, frustration, and confusion, the patient said to me, 'I hate mysaintals.' Stunned, I asked for more information. She let me know that her provider had often told her, 'Honey, you need to lose a few pounds…' Her health record revealed something very different. The note dictated by the physician stated, 'Mary is a morbidly obese, chronically non-compliant, difficult middle-aged woman, who without significant weight loss will never live to meet grandchildren.' This was shocking to read, to say the least. The patient told me that tomorrow she and her family would find another doctor who would help and not judge her, and that she 'will live to see grandchildren.'

"That patient's access to her record, however difficult the record was to read, changed her life—and I became determined to advocate for patient access, provider transparency, and patient education for all people."

Leslie's advocacy has led her to advise the White House, HHS, and many federal agencies; to guide engagement strategies for health systems; to consult with HIT vendors and investors; to speak at conferences; to teach at universities; and to volunteer in healthcare and nonprofits.